Making the most of Green Plants

Green houseplants make a wonderful addition to any home but sometimes they can be left to languish in a dark corner as they gather dust. With a little care and attention they can make a wonderful focal point in your home.

Presenting your green plants

A non-flowering plant in a brown plastic post is not going to do anything for anybody. Houseplants should be presented as a lifestyle choice rather than something to brighten up the shelf in the kitchen. Containers are everything but before you start sticking your plants in any old pot, have a think about how it will look in your home.

Four Dracaenas have been planted into this simple, square white cube, giving a pleasing symmetrical effect that would suit most homes. Dracaenas do not tolerate over watering and can thrive under sparse light and low air humidity. This is the perfect plant for a home office.

This Sansevierias has dramatic vertical leaves and has been planted in a sexy glass cube. The vivid yellow sticks not only accentuate the colours of the plant but also give it extra height and a designer touch.

The humble Ficus pumila has been given a whole new lease of life by planting it into a shallow container and simply decorating it with short lengths of sawn birch twigs.

For the image conscious, a great way to display Aloe vera is to wash the roots of the plants before attaching them with decorative pins to a soft willow bowl.

Another display piece that would be perfect for the office or reception are these Maranta and Peperomia plants. These ones have been planted into low, black, glossy containers then decorated with white sticks and yellow cotton.

Sticking with the minimal bold look, these Muehlenbeckia plants are given a whole new status when planted together in a sleek ceramic trough. They are ideal for a north-facing windowsill of an apartment or flat, this will suit the city dweller looking for something a little different.

Plants are good for you

According to the Flowers & Plants Association, scientific studies show that houseplants are proven to: